Call it like it is — air travel is not very enjoyable. Airports are a necessary evil when traveling long distances, and the food served on planes is a story by itself. Say the phrase “airplane food,” and you’ll likely hear a chorus of groans, with most people admitting that it’s best to stay away from that particular in-flight offering. We've listed what you should avoid ordering during your flight.
Tap water
If a flight attendant says not to drink the water on a plane, it's best to listen. Turns out the holding tanks for water can be a breeding ground for bacteria and are typically cleaned only once a year. Even after making their cleaning and testing requirements are more rigorous, 12 percent of commercial airplanes still tested positive for coliform (a bacteria often found in feces). So next time the beverage cart goes rolling by, grab the bottled water instead!
Hot drinks
In keeping with the bacteria-ridden beverage theme, hot drinks are also a no-go. Because the water used to make coffee and tea comes from that same rarely cleaned water tank, you might be sipping on coliform-laden Earl grey. Good thing there are Starbucks at every airport.
Airplane food
How come airplane food is so bad? Well, one reason is that our taste buds are affected while in the air — we can’t taste salty and sweet flavors as we usually would, so everything tastes bland. Another culprit: Meals might be reheated, cooled, and reheated a few times over, leading to dried out protein and less-than-ideal texture. Either way, best to bring a sandwich from home along with you!